Cricket: Pasupati delivers to undo Auckland

Wellington's Sri Lankan-born allrounder Mayu Pasupati did yesterday what he has promised to do for years when he grabbed a one-day cricket match by the scruff of the neck and led his side to victory.

In his first outing of the State Shield season, Pasupati took four for 37 with the ball and scored an unbeaten 38 with the bat as Wellington beat Auckland by three wickets in a bottom-of-the-table match at the Basin Reserve in the Capital.

Neither side played anywhere near their potential, particularly Auckland, who have nine past or present internationals.

Wellington coach Vaughn Johnson wasn't complaining.

"It's just great to get up and win," Johnson said.

The match was not without its drama.

First Wellington wicketkeeper Chris Nevin dislocated a finger and had to hand over the gloves to Neal Parlane in the 22nd over.

And when the home side batted, Pasupati required a runner after aggravating a groin strain.

However, it did not stop him and Mark Gillespie clouting Paul Hitchcock for 18 runs in the 49th over to win a match Auckland appeared to have at their mercy in the dying stages.

Pasupati was smiling after the match, something he has not done a lot of lately as his former homeland has been devastated by the tsunami.

"I didn't have anyone affected that I knew but I know a lot of people that have been affected. It's just so tragic," Pasupati said.

"But it wasn't on my mind out there. I just wanted to play well and thankfully I've had a good day.

"The batting pleased me more because I'm basically in the side as a bowler.

"I know I can bat but I've never done this before -- seen the side through to victory."

Pasupati came to the middle with Wellington struggling at 116 for six, chasing 184 on a two-paced but far from impossible batting surface.

He and Luke Woodcock added 37 before Woodcock holed out to mid-off for a nicely compiled 41 off 63 balls.

Pasupati then stepped up and though the required rate climbed to five an over he claimed to have a plan in his head.

"I eyed up the 49th over. I knew I had the wind behind me and thank goodness it all went to plan."

Pasupati's all-round effort upstaged Auckland allrounder Tama Canning, who had swung the game the visitors' way with beautiful line and length bowling that netted him four for 22 in an unbroken 10-over spell.

He claimed the wickets of Nevin and Matthew Bell in his first over and added Jesse Ryder and James Franklin at later intervals.

So after a bright start in which Stephen Fleming, 31, and Nevin, 19, had rattled on 51 runs in even time, Wellington were suddenly 82-5 and with no name players to come.

Earlier Pasupati was the most successful of the bowlers but there was excellent support from Iain O'Brien and offspinner Jeetan Patel as Auckland could only muster 183.

O'Brien and Patel have struggled for recognition at one-day level but O'Brien booked his spot for the season while Patel is shaping as the shining light in a gloomy campaign.

He dropped his first ball on the spot and never looked back, conceding just 27 runs from his full allotment of 10 overs.

In earlier games he had taken two for 37 against Northern Districts, three for 19 against Otago and none for 48 against Canterbury. 

- NZPA